Elpidius the Cappadocian
Encyclopedia
Saint Elpidius the Cappadocian (4th century) was an abbot
and saint
of Asia Minor
. Tradition states that he lived in a cave in Cappadocia
for twenty-five years. Disciples, such as Eustace (Eustachio) and Ennesius (Ennesio), gathered around him.
. The relics of Elpidius are considered to have saved the town from a Lombard
siege
; tradition states that the saint appeared in the sky asking the inhabitants to defend the village.
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
and saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
of Asia Minor
Asia Minor
Asia Minor is a geographical location at the westernmost protrusion of Asia, also called Anatolia, and corresponds to the western two thirds of the Asian part of Turkey...
. Tradition states that he lived in a cave in Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
for twenty-five years. Disciples, such as Eustace (Eustachio) and Ennesius (Ennesio), gathered around him.
Veneration
The village of Cluana, in the Marches of Ancona, acquired Elpidius' relics in the 7th century in exchange for the donation of a piece of land. The relics of Elpidius and his companions Eustace and Ennesius were consigned to the local inhabitants, and the town later acquired the new name of Sant'Elpidio a MareSant'Elpidio a Mare
Sant'Elpidio a Mare is a town and comune in the province of Fermo, in the Marche region of Italy.-History:The town was originally named Cluana. The village of Cluana acquired Saint Elpidius' relics in the 7th century in exchange for the donation of a piece of land...
. The relics of Elpidius are considered to have saved the town from a Lombard
Lombards
The Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
; tradition states that the saint appeared in the sky asking the inhabitants to defend the village.